2 rebels shot dead in gunfight, others flee

NARATHIWAT: Security forces killed two suspected insurgents and wounded several more in a gun battle with a rebel group believed to have been behind the murder of two monks in this southern province last month.

The clash erupted yesterday afternoon near Ailakho, a village in tambon Chang Phueak in Chanae district, as troops were searching in forested areas for the group’s hideouts.

At least two suspected insurgents were shot dead and blood trails at the scene suggested “several more were probably injured”, Col Pramote Prom-in, spokesman of Internal Security Operations Command Forward Command for Region 4, said.

Four or five wounded suspects are believed to have escaped.

The soldiers seized two guns from the group, according to a source close to the operation.

It prompted 4th Army chief Lt Gen Pornsak Poonsawat to order troops to intensify their search for the remaining insurgents, Col Pramote said.

He said the insurgents were located yesterday thanks to a tip-off by villagers.

People, including those from Muslim communities, have cooperated with the authorities, forcing the insurgents to flee into the forest and mountainous areas, Col Pramote said.

Investigators believe they are the same people involved in the murder of two monks at Wat Rattananuparb in Sungai Padi district on Jan 18.

Phra Kru Prachote Rattananurak, the district’s chief monk and abbot of the temple, and his assistant, Phra Samu Attapon Khun-ampai, were shot dead.